7 Network Working Group C. Everhart
8 Request for Comments: 1183 Transarc
9 Updates: RFCs 1034, 1035 L. Mamakos
10 University of Maryland
13 P. Mockapetris, Editor
18 New DNS RR Definitions
22 This memo defines five new DNS types for experimental purposes. This
23 RFC describes an Experimental Protocol for the Internet community,
24 and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
25 Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
29 Introduction.................................................... 1
30 1. AFS Data Base location....................................... 2
31 2. Responsible Person........................................... 3
32 2.1. Identification of the guilty party......................... 3
33 2.2. The Responsible Person RR.................................. 4
34 3. X.25 and ISDN addresses, Route Binding....................... 6
35 3.1. The X25 RR................................................. 6
36 3.2. The ISDN RR................................................ 7
37 3.3. The Route Through RR....................................... 8
38 REFERENCES and BIBLIOGRAPHY..................................... 9
39 Security Considerations......................................... 10
40 Authors' Addresses.............................................. 11
44 This RFC defines the format of new Resource Records (RRs) for the
45 Domain Name System (DNS), and reserves corresponding DNS type
46 mnemonics and numerical codes. The definitions are in three
47 independent sections: (1) location of AFS database servers, (2)
48 location of responsible persons, and (3) representation of X.25 and
49 ISDN addresses and route binding. All are experimental.
51 This RFC assumes that the reader is familiar with the DNS [3,4]. The
52 data shown is for pedagogical use and does not necessarily reflect
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60 RFC 1183 New DNS RR Definitions October 1990
63 1. AFS Data Base location
65 This section defines an extension of the DNS to locate servers both
66 for AFS (AFS is a registered trademark of Transarc Corporation) and
67 for the Open Software Foundation's (OSF) Distributed Computing
68 Environment (DCE) authenticated naming system using HP/Apollo's NCA,
69 both to be components of the OSF DCE. The discussion assumes that
70 the reader is familiar with AFS [5] and NCA [6].
72 The AFS (originally the Andrew File System) system uses the DNS to
73 map from a domain name to the name of an AFS cell database server.
74 The DCE Naming service uses the DNS for a similar function: mapping
75 from the domain name of a cell to authenticated name servers for that
76 cell. The method uses a new RR type with mnemonic AFSDB and type
79 AFSDB has the following format:
81 <owner> <ttl> <class> AFSDB <subtype> <hostname>
83 Both RDATA fields are required in all AFSDB RRs. The <subtype> field
84 is a 16 bit integer. The <hostname> field is a domain name of a host
85 that has a server for the cell named by the owner name of the RR.
87 The format of the AFSDB RR is class insensitive. AFSDB records cause
88 type A additional section processing for <hostname>. This, in fact,
89 is the rationale for using a new type code, rather than trying to
90 build the same functionality with TXT RRs.
92 Note that the format of AFSDB in a master file is identical to MX.
93 For purposes of the DNS itself, the subtype is merely an integer.
94 The present subtype semantics are discussed below, but changes are
95 possible and will be announced in subsequent RFCs.
97 In the case of subtype 1, the host has an AFS version 3.0 Volume
98 Location Server for the named AFS cell. In the case of subtype 2,
99 the host has an authenticated name server holding the cell-root
100 directory node for the named DCE/NCA cell.
102 The use of subtypes is motivated by two considerations. First, the
103 space of DNS RR types is limited. Second, the services provided are
104 sufficiently distinct that it would continue to be confusing for a
105 client to attempt to connect to a cell's servers using the protocol
106 for one service, if the cell offered only the other service.
108 As an example of the use of this RR, suppose that the Toaster
109 Corporation has deployed AFS 3.0 but not (yet) the OSF's DCE. Their
110 cell, named toaster.com, has three "AFS 3.0 cell database server"
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116 RFC 1183 New DNS RR Definitions October 1990
119 machines: bigbird.toaster.com, ernie.toaster.com, and
120 henson.toaster.com. These three machines would be listed in three
121 AFSDB RRs. These might appear in a master file as:
123 toaster.com. AFSDB 1 bigbird.toaster.com.
124 toaster.com. AFSDB 1 ernie.toaster.com.
125 toaster.com. AFSDB 1 henson.toaster.com.
127 As another example use of this RR, suppose that Femto College (domain
128 name femto.edu) has deployed DCE, and that their DCE cell root
129 directory is served by processes running on green.femto.edu and
130 turquoise.femto.edu. Furthermore, their DCE file servers also run
131 AFS 3.0-compatible volume location servers, on the hosts
132 turquoise.femto.edu and orange.femto.edu. These machines would be
133 listed in four AFSDB RRs, which might appear in a master file as:
135 femto.edu. AFSDB 2 green.femto.edu.
136 femto.edu. AFSDB 2 turquoise.femto.edu.
137 femto.edu. AFSDB 1 turquoise.femto.edu.
138 femto.edu. AFSDB 1 orange.femto.edu.
140 2. Responsible Person
142 The purpose of this section is to provide a standard method for
143 associating responsible person identification to any name in the DNS.
145 The domain name system functions as a distributed database which
146 contains many different form of information. For a particular name
147 or host, you can discover it's Internet address, mail forwarding
148 information, hardware type and operating system among others.
150 A key aspect of the DNS is that the tree-structured namespace can be
151 divided into pieces, called zones, for purposes of distributing
152 control and responsibility. The responsible person for zone database
153 purposes is named in the SOA RR for that zone. This section
154 describes an extension which allows different responsible persons to
155 be specified for different names in a zone.
157 2.1. Identification of the guilty party
159 Often it is desirable to be able to identify the responsible entity
160 for a particular host. When that host is down or malfunctioning, it
161 is difficult to contact those parties which might resolve or repair
162 the host. Mail sent to POSTMASTER may not reach the person in a
163 timely fashion. If the host is one of a multitude of workstations,
164 there may be no responsible person which can be contacted on that
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172 RFC 1183 New DNS RR Definitions October 1990
175 The POSTMASTER mailbox on that host continues to be a good contact
176 point for mail problems, and the zone contact in the SOA record for
177 database problem, but the RP record allows us to associate a mailbox
178 to entities that don't receive mail or are not directly connected
179 (namespace-wise) to the problem (e.g., GATEWAY.ISI.EDU might want to
180 point at HOTLINE@BBN.COM, and GATEWAY doesn't get mail, nor does the
181 ISI zone administrator have a clue about fixing gateways).
183 2.2. The Responsible Person RR
185 The method uses a new RR type with mnemonic RP and type code of 17
188 RP has the following format:
190 <owner> <ttl> <class> RP <mbox-dname> <txt-dname>
192 Both RDATA fields are required in all RP RRs.
194 The first field, <mbox-dname>, is a domain name that specifies the
195 mailbox for the responsible person. Its format in master files uses
196 the DNS convention for mailbox encoding, identical to that used for
197 the RNAME mailbox field in the SOA RR. The root domain name (just
198 ".") may be specified for <mbox-dname> to indicate that no mailbox is
201 The second field, <txt-dname>, is a domain name for which TXT RR's
202 exist. A subsequent query can be performed to retrieve the
203 associated TXT resource records at <txt-dname>. This provides a
204 level of indirection so that the entity can be referred to from
205 multiple places in the DNS. The root domain name (just ".") may be
206 specified for <txt-dname> to indicate that the TXT_DNAME is absent,
207 and no associated TXT RR exists.
209 The format of the RP RR is class insensitive. RP records cause no
210 additional section processing. (TXT additional section processing
211 for <txt-dname> is allowed as an option, but only if it is disabled
212 for the root, i.e., ".").
214 The Responsible Person RR can be associated with any node in the
215 Domain Name System hierarchy, not just at the leaves of the tree.
217 The TXT RR associated with the TXT_DNAME contain free format text
218 suitable for humans. Refer to [4] for more details on the TXT RR.
220 Multiple RP records at a single name may be present in the database.
221 They should have identical TTLs.
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228 RFC 1183 New DNS RR Definitions October 1990
233 Some examples of how the RP record might be used.
235 sayshell.umd.edu. A 128.8.1.14
236 MX 10 sayshell.umd.edu.
238 WKS 128.8.1.14 tcp ftp telnet smtp
239 RP louie.trantor.umd.edu. LAM1.people.umd.edu.
241 LAM1.people.umd.edu. TXT (
242 "Louis A. Mamakos, (301) 454-2946, don't call me at home!" )
244 In this example, the responsible person's mailbox for the host
245 SAYSHELL.UMD.EDU is louie@trantor.umd.edu. The TXT RR at
246 LAM1.people.umd.edu provides additional information and advice.
248 TERP.UMD.EDU. A 128.8.10.90
250 HINFO MICROVAX-II UNIX
251 WKS 128.8.10.90 udp domain
252 WKS 128.8.10.90 tcp ftp telnet smtp domain
253 RP louie.trantor.umd.edu. LAM1.people.umd.edu.
254 RP root.terp.umd.edu. ops.CS.UMD.EDU.
256 TRANTOR.UMD.EDU. A 128.8.10.14
257 MX 10 trantor.umd.edu.
258 HINFO MICROVAX-II UNIX
259 WKS 128.8.10.14 udp domain
260 WKS 128.8.10.14 tcp ftp telnet smtp domain
261 RP louie.trantor.umd.edu. LAM1.people.umd.edu.
262 RP petry.netwolf.umd.edu. petry.people.UMD.EDU.
263 RP root.trantor.umd.edu. ops.CS.UMD.EDU.
264 RP gregh.sunset.umd.edu. .
266 LAM1.people.umd.edu. TXT "Louis A. Mamakos (301) 454-2946"
267 petry.people.umd.edu. TXT "Michael G. Petry (301) 454-2946"
268 ops.CS.UMD.EDU. TXT "CS Operations Staff (301) 454-2943"
270 This set of resource records has two hosts, TRANTOR.UMD.EDU and
271 TERP.UMD.EDU, as well as a number of TXT RRs. Note that TERP.UMD.EDU
272 and TRANTOR.UMD.EDU both reference the same pair of TXT resource
273 records, although the mail box names (root.terp.umd.edu and
274 root.trantor.umd.edu) differ.
276 Here, we obviously care much more if the machine flakes out, as we've
277 specified four persons which might want to be notified of problems or
278 other events involving TRANTOR.UMD.EDU. In this example, the last RP
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284 RFC 1183 New DNS RR Definitions October 1990
287 RR for TRANTOR.UMD.EDU specifies a mailbox (gregh.sunset.umd.edu),
288 but no associated TXT RR.
290 3. X.25 and ISDN addresses, Route Binding
292 This section describes an experimental representation of X.25 and
293 ISDN addresses in the DNS, as well as a route binding method,
294 analogous to the MX for mail routing, for very large scale networks.
296 There are several possible uses, all experimental at this time.
297 First, the RRs provide simple documentation of the correct addresses
298 to use in static configurations of IP/X.25 [11] and SMTP/X.25 [12].
300 The RRs could also be used automatically by an internet network-layer
301 router, typically IP. The procedure would be to map IP address to
302 domain name, then name to canonical name if needed, then following RT
303 records, and finally attempting an IP/X.25 call to the address found.
304 Alternately, configured domain names could be resolved to identify IP
305 to X.25/ISDN bindings for a static but periodically refreshed routing
308 This provides a function similar to ARP for wide area non-broadcast
309 networks that will scale well to a network with hundreds of millions
312 Also, a standard address binding reference will facilitate other
313 experiments in the use of X.25 and ISDN, especially in serious
314 inter-operability testing. The majority of work in such a test is
315 establishing the n-squared entries in static tables.
317 Finally, the RRs are intended for use in a proposal [13] by one of
318 the authors for a possible next-generation internet.
322 The X25 RR is defined with mnemonic X25 and type code 19 (decimal).
324 X25 has the following format:
326 <owner> <ttl> <class> X25 <PSDN-address>
328 <PSDN-address> is required in all X25 RRs.
330 <PSDN-address> identifies the PSDN (Public Switched Data Network)
331 address in the X.121 [10] numbering plan associated with <owner>.
332 Its format in master files is a <character-string> syntactically
333 identical to that used in TXT and HINFO.
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340 RFC 1183 New DNS RR Definitions October 1990
343 The format of X25 is class insensitive. X25 RRs cause no additional
346 The <PSDN-address> is a string of decimal digits, beginning with the
347 4 digit DNIC (Data Network Identification Code), as specified in
348 X.121. National prefixes (such as a 0) MUST NOT be used.
352 Relay.Prime.COM. X25 311061700956
356 The ISDN RR is defined with mnemonic ISDN and type code 20 (decimal).
358 An ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network) number is simply a
359 telephone number. The intent of the members of the CCITT is to
360 upgrade all telephone and data network service to a common service.
362 The numbering plan (E.163/E.164) is the same as the familiar
363 international plan for POTS (an un-official acronym, meaning Plain
364 Old Telephone Service). In E.166, CCITT says "An E.163/E.164
365 telephony subscriber may become an ISDN subscriber without a number
368 ISDN has the following format:
370 <owner> <ttl> <class> ISDN <ISDN-address> <sa>
372 The <ISDN-address> field is required; <sa> is optional.
374 <ISDN-address> identifies the ISDN number of <owner> and DDI (Direct
375 Dial In) if any, as defined by E.164 [8] and E.163 [7], the ISDN and
376 PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) numbering plan. E.163
377 defines the country codes, and E.164 the form of the addresses. Its
378 format in master files is a <character-string> syntactically
379 identical to that used in TXT and HINFO.
381 <sa> specifies the subaddress (SA). The format of <sa> in master
382 files is a <character-string> syntactically identical to that used in
385 The format of ISDN is class insensitive. ISDN RRs cause no
386 additional section processing.
388 The <ISDN-address> is a string of characters, normally decimal
389 digits, beginning with the E.163 country code and ending with the DDI
390 if any. Note that ISDN, in Q.931, permits any IA5 character in the
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396 RFC 1183 New DNS RR Definitions October 1990
401 The <sa> is a string of hexadecimal digits. For digits 0-9, the
402 concrete encoding in the Q.931 call setup information element is
407 Relay.Prime.COM. IN ISDN 150862028003217
408 sh.Prime.COM. IN ISDN 150862028003217 004
410 (Note: "1" is the country code for the North American Integrated
411 Numbering Area, i.e., the system of "area codes" familiar to people
414 The RR data is the ASCII representation of the digits. It is encoded
415 as one or two <character-string>s, i.e., count followed by
418 CCITT recommendation E.166 [9] defines prefix escape codes for the
419 representation of ISDN (E.163/E.164) addresses in X.121, and PSDN
420 (X.121) addresses in E.164. It specifies that the exact codes are a
421 "national matter", i.e., different on different networks. A host
422 connected to the ISDN may be able to use both the X25 and ISDN
423 addresses, with the local prefix added.
425 3.3. The Route Through RR
427 The Route Through RR is defined with mnemonic RT and type code 21
430 The RT resource record provides a route-through binding for hosts
431 that do not have their own direct wide area network addresses. It is
432 used in much the same way as the MX RR.
434 RT has the following format:
436 <owner> <ttl> <class> RT <preference> <intermediate-host>
438 Both RDATA fields are required in all RT RRs.
440 The first field, <preference>, is a 16 bit integer, representing the
441 preference of the route. Smaller numbers indicate more preferred
444 <intermediate-host> is the domain name of a host which will serve as
445 an intermediate in reaching the host specified by <owner>. The DNS
446 RRs associated with <intermediate-host> are expected to include at
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452 RFC 1183 New DNS RR Definitions October 1990
455 least one A, X25, or ISDN record.
457 The format of the RT RR is class insensitive. RT records cause type
458 X25, ISDN, and A additional section processing for <intermediate-
463 sh.prime.com. IN RT 2 Relay.Prime.COM.
464 IN RT 10 NET.Prime.COM.
465 *.prime.com. IN RT 90 Relay.Prime.COM.
467 When a host is looking up DNS records to attempt to route a datagram,
468 it first looks for RT records for the destination host, which point
469 to hosts with address records (A, X25, ISDN) compatible with the wide
470 area networks available to the host. If it is itself in the set of
471 RT records, it discards any RTs with preferences higher or equal to
472 its own. If there are no (remaining) RTs, it can then use address
473 records of the destination itself.
475 Wild-card RTs are used exactly as are wild-card MXs. RT's do not
476 "chain"; that is, it is not valid to use the RT RRs found for a host
477 referred to by an RT.
479 The concrete encoding is identical to the MX RR.
481 REFERENCES and BIBLIOGRAPHY
483 [1] Stahl, M., "Domain Administrators Guide", RFC 1032, Network
484 Information Center, SRI International, November 1987.
486 [2] Lottor, M., "Domain Administrators Operations Guide", RFC 1033,
487 Network Information Center, SRI International, November, 1987.
489 [3] Mockapetris, P., "Domain Names - Concepts and Facilities", RFC
490 1034, USC/Information Sciences Institute, November 1987.
492 [4] Mockapetris, P., "Domain Names - Implementation and
493 Specification", RFC 1035, USC/Information Sciences Institute,
496 [5] Spector A., and M. Kazar, "Uniting File Systems", UNIX Review,
497 7(3), pp. 61-69, March 1989.
499 [6] Zahn, et al., "Network Computing Architecture", Prentice-Hall,
502 [7] International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee,
506 Everhart, Mamakos, Ullmann & Mockapetris [Page 9]
508 RFC 1183 New DNS RR Definitions October 1990
511 "Numbering Plan for the International Telephone Service", CCITT
512 Recommendations E.163., IXth Plenary Assembly, Melbourne, 1988,
513 Fascicle II.2 ("Blue Book").
515 [8] International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee,
516 "Numbering Plan for the ISDN Era", CCITT Recommendations E.164.,
517 IXth Plenary Assembly, Melbourne, 1988, Fascicle II.2 ("Blue
520 [9] International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee.
521 "Numbering Plan Interworking in the ISDN Era", CCITT
522 Recommendations E.166., IXth Plenary Assembly, Melbourne, 1988,
523 Fascicle II.2 ("Blue Book").
525 [10] International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee,
526 "International Numbering Plan for the Public Data Networks",
527 CCITT Recommendations X.121., IXth Plenary Assembly, Melbourne,
528 1988, Fascicle VIII.3 ("Blue Book"); provisional, Geneva, 1978;
529 amended, Geneva, 1980, Malaga-Torremolinos, 1984 and Melborne,
532 [11] Korb, J., "Standard for the Transmission of IP datagrams Over
533 Public Data Networks", RFC 877, Purdue University, September
536 [12] Ullmann, R., "SMTP on X.25", RFC 1090, Prime Computer, February
539 [13] Ullmann, R., "TP/IX: The Next Internet", Prime Computer
540 (unpublished), July 1990.
542 [14] Mockapetris, P., "DNS Encoding of Network Names and Other Types",
543 RFC 1101, USC/Information Sciences Institute, April 1989.
545 Security Considerations
547 Security issues are not addressed in this memo.
562 Everhart, Mamakos, Ullmann & Mockapetris [Page 10]
564 RFC 1183 New DNS RR Definitions October 1990
575 Phone: +1 412 338 4467
577 EMail: Craig_Everhart@transarc.com
581 Network Infrastructure Group
582 Computer Science Center
583 University of Maryland
584 College Park, MD 20742-2411
586 Phone: +1-301-405-7836
588 Email: louie@Sayshell.UMD.EDU
593 500 Old Connecticut Path
596 Phone: +1 508 620 2800 ext 1736
598 Email: Ariel@Relay.Prime.COM
602 USC Information Sciences Institute
604 Marina del Rey, CA 90292
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